Jan 28 2012: I agree with the fact that the product can influence the decision. Yet inspiration can lead to fattening of your bottom line. This ties into my sub questions whether manipulation, or inspiration, increases brand loyalty or overall sales? Do you feel that manipulation or inspiration can have a greater business effect for these two variables?
Jan 25 2012: To each their own in terms of how they define good but I will give some more food for thought. Lets use online affiliate marketing/advertising as the example as there are many ads that have made me chuckle or provided minor entertainment but when clicked delivered a false promise. Therefore, if "good" encompasses entertainment or amusement then yes advertising can be a force for commerce and a force for good.
Lets use a better example in beer commercials. Alcohol is a substances that is constantly abused and negatively affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of people every year but I laugh and/or smile at almost every beer commercial I see.
The major point I'm trying to make is that advertising/marketing is to increase sales. If the product, service, or cause your advertising happens to do "good" (however you define it) then you sleep easier at night.
Jan 24 2012: I read many of the comments and did not see anyone raise this point and apologize if I am reiterating the stance someone has already taken.
To advertise you need a product, service or cause in which to share. If that item is not inherently "good" (which has not been defined through this debate) then you are limited in the messaging you can share about that item. I define "good" as something that without motive will raise the standard of living. I know this is a very broad definition but "good is a very broad word.
Time to take a stance - advertising can be good for commerce and improve the betterment of the world as long as the product, service or cause you are advertising is intent to do the same. If you are trying to advertise a product that pollutes the environment, has major health risks and costs more well.... that's why spin marketing was created to engage but deflect from the flaws of the product.
I think this is a great topic to debate but in my opinion the egg definitely comes before the chicken and the chicken can only be as good as the egg.
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A reply on Conversation: What is more important: to manipulate or to inspire?
A comment on Conversation: What is more important: to manipulate or to inspire?
A comment on Conversation: Can advertising be both a force for commerce AND a force for good?
Lets use a better example in beer commercials. Alcohol is a substances that is constantly abused and negatively affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of people every year but I laugh and/or smile at almost every beer commercial I see.
The major point I'm trying to make is that advertising/marketing is to increase sales. If the product, service, or cause your advertising happens to do "good" (however you define it) then you sleep easier at night.
A comment on Conversation: Can advertising be both a force for commerce AND a force for good?
To advertise you need a product, service or cause in which to share. If that item is not inherently "good" (which has not been defined through this debate) then you are limited in the messaging you can share about that item. I define "good" as something that without motive will raise the standard of living. I know this is a very broad definition but "good is a very broad word.
Time to take a stance - advertising can be good for commerce and improve the betterment of the world as long as the product, service or cause you are advertising is intent to do the same. If you are trying to advertise a product that pollutes the environment, has major health risks and costs more well.... that's why spin marketing was created to engage but deflect from the flaws of the product.
I think this is a great topic to debate but in my opinion the egg definitely comes before the chicken and the chicken can only be as good as the egg.